Some erring jail wardens and guards are running illegal business ventures inside the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) supervised jail facilities.

And this is what the BJMP is now trying to address as it warned that those involved will face dismissal from the service.

In particular, BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Bustinera said that the Lapu-Lapu City Jail warden together with the jail personnel previously assigned in the jail’s commissary may be held accountable once the investigation proves their guilt.

This controversy arose after reports surfaced that an inmate in the Lapu-Lapu City Jail enriched his personal coffer over the years through money-lending escapades, selling goods and other entrepreneurial activities within the facility.

In April 15, Senator Raffy Tulfo questioned BJMP officials about the unregulated business activities in jails, expressing dismay how a person deprived of liberty (PDL) from Lapu-Lapu City amassed millions of pesos during his 14-year stint in detention.

What was more mind-boggling is how the PDL was able to sell electronic telephone cards, enabling his clients to call anyone for as long as they want despite what was supposed to be the BJMP’s restrictions on PDLs' supervised communication.

In response Bustinera admitted that such violations involving small-scale businesses have occurred, but maintained that these were merely isolated cases.

The BJMP official theorized that part of the earnings may have emanated from informal transactions among inmates, including food sales and small loans, which are difficult to monitor.

Under existing policy, Bustinera clarified that only authorized jail commissaries are allowed to operate as PDLs are prohibited from holding large amounts of cash and instead, a coupon-based system is used to limit unauthorized transactions.

With the BJMP’s no corrupt policy, Bustinera assured that a thorough investigation is in progress and violators will be appropriately dealt with in accordance with existing laws.

In reference to the commissary issue, Bustinera said the bureau has already taken action, including the recovery of some P93,000 in recorded commissary coupons.

Further, Bustinera reiterated that the BJMP strictly prohibits the use of mobile phones and other gadgets in its detention facilities with no VIP treatment accorded to anyone even for high-profile PDLs.

As an added measure, regular “greyhound operations’’ are conducted to ensure that no contraband, including mobile phones are smuggled into the facilities.

To enable the PDLs access to communication, Bustinera said that the BJMP had enhanced the use of monitored "e-dalaw" systems, that allows the detainees to get in touch with authorized family members through recorded video or audio calls.

However, Bustinera stressed that limitations in digital infrastructure remain as one big challenge in fully preventing unauthorized activities.

On the other hand, Bustinera pointed out that the BJMP is ready to accommodate high-profile detainees, including former lawmaker Zaldy Co, should the courts order his detention upon return to the Philippines, assuring that all PDLs are treated equally regardless of status.

Bustinera vowed that the BJMP continues to review and strengthen its policies to ensure security and prevent unauthorized business dealing inside its detention facilities.